Easy Sweet & Spicy Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

Sweet aromas of slow cooker sweet chili chicken waft through kitchens, promising a delectable meal that’ll make everyone’s mouth water.

Tender chicken pieces marinate in a rich, complex sauce bursting with bold flavors.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet spectacular solutions for hungry families.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction with this incredibly easy recipe.

Spicy and sweet notes dance across your palate, creating a memorable dining experience.

A single bite transports you to culinary bliss, melding comfort and excitement on your plate.

Jump into this mouthwatering adventure that guarantees smiles around the dinner table.

Sweet & Spicy Perks of Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken

• Dump and go method makes this recipe incredibly simple, perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without complex preparation.
• Sweet chili sauce combined with soy sauce and honey creates a mouthwatering blend of tangy, sweet, and savory notes that will excite taste buds.
• Packed with protein from chicken and vibrant bell peppers, this dish delivers a balanced meal that's both healthy and satisfying.
• Easily adaptable for different protein choices and dietary preferences, making it a go-to recipe for families and meal planners.

Ingredients for Sweet Chili Chicken

• Chicken Thighs or Chicken Breasts: Tender meat as the main protein for the dish.

• Sweet Chili Sauce: Provides a sweet and spicy flavor profile.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami to the sauce.
• Rice Vinegar: Brings a tangy brightness.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps balance flavors.
• Minced Garlic: Provides aromatic base note.
• Grated Ginger: Offers warm, spicy undertone.

• Red Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper: Colorful vegetables that add crunch and sweetness.
• Onion: Provides foundational flavor and texture.

• Cornstarch, Water: Creates slurry to thicken sauce.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish with mild onion flavor.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty crunch and visual appeal.

• Cooked Rice: Serves as the foundation for serving the dish.

How to Make Sweet Chili Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prep Chicken Base

Place chicken pieces directly into the bottom of your slow cooker, spreading them evenly across the surface.

Step 2: Whip Up Flavor Blend

• Sweet chili sauce
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Honey
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Whisk everything together until the mixture looks smooth and well-blended.

Step 3: Create Vegetable Layer

• Red bell pepper slices
• Yellow bell pepper slices
• Onion chunks

Step 4: Pour and Cover

Drizzle the prepared sauce all over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring complete coverage.

Close the slow cooker lid and let it work its magic on low setting for 6-7 hours or high setting for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes fork-tender.

Step 5: Sauce Transformation

About half an hour before serving, create a quick thickening agent by mixing cornstarch with water.

Stir this slurry into the slow cooker, allowing the sauce to become rich and glossy.

Keep the lid on and cook on high for the remaining time.

Step 6: Final Presentation

Spoon the succulent sweet chili chicken over fluffy rice.

Sprinkle with fresh green onion pieces and a handful of sesame seeds for extra pizzazz.

Top Tips for Sweet Chili Chicken

• Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra tenderness and richer flavor compared to chicken breasts.
• Modify sweet chili sauce quantity to control heat intensity, adding more or less based on personal spice preferences.
• Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to ensure smooth blending and prevent ingredient segregation during slow cooking.
• If sauce remains thin after adding cornstarch slurry, let it simmer uncovered for additional 15-20 minutes to achieve desired consistency.
• Add extra vegetables like zucchini or carrots to increase nutritional value and create a more balanced one-pot meal.

Keeping Sweet Chili Chicken Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.
• Transfer chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place chicken and sauce in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on 50% power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Pour chicken and sauce into skillet. Add splash of water or broth to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Discard if sauce separates or chicken looks dry.

Pairings with Sweet Chili Chicken

• Pair Zesty Rice Wine Spritzer: Create a light, refreshing cocktail using rice wine, sparkling water, and a splash of lime to complement the sweet and tangy chicken flavors.
• Enhance with Crunchy Cucumber Slaw: Prepare a cool, crisp side salad with thinly sliced cucumbers, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil to balance the rich, sweet chili sauce.
• Match with Jasmine Rice Pilaf: Cook jasmine rice with a hint of ginger and green onions to absorb the flavorful sauce and provide a fragrant, textural base for the chicken.
• Serve with Pickled Vegetable Garnish: Quick-pickle some daikon radish or carrots in rice vinegar to add a bright, acidic contrast to the sweet and savory chicken dish.

Flavor Styles for Sweet Chili Chicken

• Spicy Kick Variation: Replace sweet chili sauce with sriracha and add red pepper flakes for an extra hot version.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos, and use gluten-free cornstarch to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas, adjusting cooking time to prevent overcooking plant-based proteins.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip rice and serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, reducing overall carbohydrate content while maintaining flavor profile.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but increase cooking time by 1-2 hours and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

• What if I don't have sweet chili sauce?

You can substitute with a mixture of chili sauce, honey, and a touch of ketchup to mimic the sweet and spicy flavor profile.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not automatically. Use gluten-free soy sauce and verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free to make it safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

• Can I make this recipe spicier?

Add red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, or diced jalapeños to increase the heat level according to your preference.

Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Simmering slow cooker sweet chili chicken brings irresistible Asian-inspired flavors to dinner tables with minimal effort. Juicy chicken bathes in a tangy sauce, promising a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 1 cup sweet chili sauce
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated)

Vegetables and Thickeners:

• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 small onion (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Garnish and Serving:

• Green onions (chopped)
• Sesame seeds
• Cooked rice

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Instructions

1. Arrange raw chicken pieces at the bottom of the slow cooker, creating an even base layer for cooking.
2. Whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing bowl until ingredients form a smooth, integrated sauce.
3. Distribute sliced red and yellow bell peppers and onions uniformly over the chicken, creating a colorful vegetable layer.
4. Gently pour prepared sauce across the chicken and vegetables, ensuring complete and consistent coverage throughout the slow cooker.
5. Set slow cooker to low temperature and cook for 6-7 hours, or high temperature for 3-4 hours, until chicken becomes completely tender and thoroughly cooked.
6. Prepare cornstarch mixture by blending water and cornstarch into a smooth slurry approximately 30 minutes before serving.
7. Incorporate cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker, stirring carefully to help sauce reach desired thickness and consistency.
8. Continue cooking on high heat for an additional 30 minutes to allow sauce to fully thicken and flavors to meld together.
9. Transfer cooked sweet chili chicken over prepared rice, creating an appetizing presentation.
10. Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds across the dish as a final garnish for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Customize chicken cuts by using boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for different textures and flavors.
• Adjust sweetness levels by reducing honey or choosing low-sugar sweet chili sauce for health-conscious diners.
• Enhance spice profile by adding red pepper flakes or sriracha for those who enjoy extra heat.
• Simplify meal prep by preparing sauce mixture the night before and storing in the refrigerator for quick morning assembly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg